Derivatives of delta1-androsten-17beta-ol



United States Patent 3,051,730 DERIVATIVES 0F N-ANDROSTEN-flfi-OL Albert Bowers, John Edwards, and James C. Orr, all of Mexico City, Mexico, assignors, by mesne assignments,

to Syntex Corporation, a corporation of Panama No Drawing. Filed Sept. 29, 1961, Ser. No. 141,604- 21 Claims. (Cl. 26i)397.1)

The present invention relates to novel cyclopentanophenanthrene derivatives and to a process for the production thereof.

More particularly the present invention relates to the derivatives of 2-formyl-A -androsten-17,8-01, Z-hydroxymethyl-A -andr0sten-17B-ol, 2-carboXy-A -androsten-l7 3- 01, and 2-methyl-A -androsten-175-01.

The novel compounds of the present invention are represented by the following formulas:

a? Oil OR In the above formulas, R and R represent hydrogen or a hydrocarbon carboxylic acyl group of less than 12 carbon atoms; R represents hydrogen or an alkyl, alkenyl or alkinyl group containing of up to 8 carbon atoms; R represents formyl (CHO) or carboxyl (--COOH).

The acyl group is derived from hydrocarbon carboxylic acids containing less than 12 carbon atoms which may be saturated or unsaturated, of straight, branched, cyclic or cyclic-aliphatic chain aromatic and may be substituted by functional groups such as hydroxy, alkoxy containing up to carbon atoms, acyloxy containing up to 12 carbon atoms, nitro, amino or'=l1alogen. Typical ester groups are the acetate, propionat, enanthate, benzoate, trimethylacetate, t-butylacetate, phenoxyacetate, cyclopentylpropionate, aminoacetate and ,B-chloropropionate.

The compounds represented by the above formulas are androgenic anabolic agents with a favourable anabolic ratio. They also exhibit anti-estrogenic and antigcnadotrophic activities, lower the blood chloesterol level and are useful in the treatment of premenstrual tension.

The novel compounds of the present invention are pre- 3,95lfl3h Patented Aug. 28, 1962 2 pared by the process illustrated by the following equation:

I II

1130- I morv In 0 H m I: t

v in

OR OR L---RI o H HOC- I:

Vin VII OR OR IAIQ In the above formulas R, R and R have the same meaning as hereinbefore *set forth.

In practicing the process outlined above, the starting ,l7oa-alkyl, alkenyl or 'a1kinyl-17fl-alcohol (VII).

compound, Z-methyl-N-androsten-17,6-01 (I), is prepare by treating Z-methyl-N-androsten-17B-ol-3-one (described by Ringold et al., US. Patent application Serial No. 73,993, filed December 6, 1960) with ethanedithiol in the presence of an acid, such as an acetic acid solution of hydrogen chloride, thus furnishing the corresponding dithioketal, which upon treatment with Raney nickel affords 2-methyl-A -androsten-17 3-01 (I). This compound upon oxidation, preferably with chromium trioxide in pyridine furnishes the corresponding l7-ketone (II). Treatment of this ketone with an alkyl, alkenyl or alkinyl magnesium halide as for example methyl, vinyl or ethinyl magnesium bromide aifords the respective 2-methyl-l7usubstituted A -androsten-17/8-ol derivative (IH; R=H).

Following a second sequence of reactions, 2-methyl- A -androsten-l7B-ol (I), after conventional acetylation (IV), is treated with selenium dioxide in a suitable solvent such as dioxane or acetic acid atreflux temperature for a period of time of the order of 2 hours, thus furnishing 2-formyl-A -androsten-l7B-ol-17-acetate (V). Treatment of'this compound with ethylene glycol in an acid medium, reaction of the resulting Z-cycloethylenedioxymethyl derivative with a base to give the free 17;?- alcohol and subsequent oxidation of the hydroxyl group preferably with chromium trioxide-pyridine, furnishes the 2 cycloethylenedioxymethyl A androsten 17 one (VI). Treatment of this compound with an alkyl, alkenyl or alkinyl magnesium halide afior'ds the corresponding drolysis of the acetal group in a mild acid medium affords the corresponding 2-formyl-A -androsten-175-01 derivative (VHI; R=H). Reduction of this derivative, preferably with sodium borohydride gives the respective 2-hydroxymethyl-A -androsten-175-01 compound (IX; R=R =H). Treatment of this derivative with a suitable oxidizing agent, such as Jones reagent affords the corresponding Z-carboxy compound (X; R=H).

The above compounds having a primary hydroxyl, such as the hydroxymethyl group (IX; R =H) and/or a secondary hydroxyl such as the l7fl -hydroxyl of the 17:1- unsubstituted compounds (III, VIII, IX, X; R=R =H), are conventionally acylated in pyridine with a suitable acylating agent, such as an anhydride of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid of the type described hereinbefore, thus furnishing the corresponding acyloxy derivatives (HI, VIII, IX, X; R=acyloxy, R =H, R =acyloxy).

The compounds with a tertiary hydroxyl in the molecule, such as the 17a-substituted 17fl-alcohols (III, VIII, IX, X; R=H, R =hydrocarbon) are conventionally acylated in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid with a suitable acylating agent, such as an anhydride of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid of the type described hereinbefore,

to give the corresponding acyloxy derivatives (III, VIII, IX, X; R=acyloxy, R =hydrocarbon).

The following specific examples serve to illustrate but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention:

Example I A solution of 5 g. of Z-methyI-A -androsten-17 8-01-3- one in 100 cc. of glacial acetic acid containing 5 cc. of ethanedithiol and 4 cc. of a saturated solution of hydrogen chloride in acetic acid was allowed to stand at room temperature for 4 hours. Water was added and the resulting mixture was saturated with ethyl acetate. The extract was washed with a 5% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, water, dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. Recrystallization from ether-hexane afforded the cycloethylene dithioketal of Z-methyI-A -androsten-17B-ol-3-one.

A solution of 4 g. of the foregoing compound dissolved in 3 it. of ethanol (previously distilled over Raney nickel) Was boiled under reflux for 6 hours with 50 g. of Raney nickel. The metal was removed by filtration and washed well with hot ethanol. The filtrate was evaporated to dryness, dissolved in chloroform and washed with dilute hydrochloric acid, sodium carbonate solution and water. Drying, evaporation and crystallization of the residue from acetone-hexane furnished 2-methyl-A -andr'osten-17fi-ol.

Example II A mixture of 3 g. of the foregoing steroid, 12 cc. of pyridine and 6 cc. of acetic anhydride was kept at room temperature overnight, poured into ice water, the formed precipitate was filteredofi, Washed with water and dried. Crystallization from acetone-hexane gave Z-methyl-A -androsten-l7B-ol-l7-acetate.

Example III A mixture of 2 g. of the last named steroid, cc. of dioxane and 2 g. of recently sublimed selenium dioxide was refluxed for 2 hours, cooled, filtered through celite and the filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure. Alumina chromatography of the residue and crystallization of the solid fractions from acetone-hexane furnished 2-formyl-A -androsten-l7B-ol-l7-acetate.

Example IV A mixture of 5 g. of Z-formyl-Abandrosten-175-01-17- acetate prepared in accordance with Example HI, cc.

of anhydrous benzene, 60 cc. of ethyleneglycol distilled over sodium hydroxide in 800 mg. of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate'was refluxed for 12 hours with the use of an adapter for the continuous removal of the water formed during the reaction. Aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution was added to the cooled mixture and the organic phase was separated, washed with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. The residue crystallized from acetone-hexane to give 2-cycloethylenedioxymethyl-A -androsten-17,18-ol-l7-acetate.

Example V A solution of 4 g. of the foregoing steroid in 150 cc. of methanol was refluxedfor 3 hours with 2 g. of potassium hydroxide dissolved in 4 cc. of water; it was then poured into ice water, the precipitate collected, Washed with Water to neutral and dried, thus producing a crude compound which upon recrystallization from methylene-chlorideether afforded 2-cycloethylenedioxymethyl-A -androsten- 17 8-01.

Example VI A solution of 3 g. of the above steroid in 60 cc. of pyridine was added to a mixture of 3 g. of chromic trioxide in 60 cc. of pyridine. The reaction mixture was kept at room temperature overnight. It was then diluted with ethyl acetate, filtered through celite and the filtrate washed well with water, dried and evaporated to dryness. Crystallization fiom acetone-hexane afforded 2-cycloethylenedioxymethyl-A -androsten-17-one.

Example VII A solution of 5 g. of 2 -cycloethylenedioxymethyl-A androsten-17-one, obtained according to Example VI, in 250 cc.- of thiophene-free benzene was treated with 27.5 cc. of 4 N methyl magnesium bromide in ether and the mixture refluxed with the exclusion of moisture for 3 hours. The

cooled mixture was cautiously treated with excess aqueous ammonium chloride solution and the product isolated by ethyl acetate extraction. The extract was washed with water, dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evapo- Example VIII A solution of 4 g. of 2-cycloethylenedioxymethyl-17amethyl-A -androsten-17B-ol in 200 cc. of acetone was treated with 0.8 cc. of concentrated hydrochloric acid and I 6 acetone-hexane gave 2-carboxy-17a-methyl-A -androsten- 175-01.

When applying the above technique to Z-hydroxymethyl-A -androsten-17fl ol-17 acetate, 2-hydroxymethyl-l7uthe mixture kept at room temperature overnight. It was 5 vmyl'All'andmsten'np 1 a z'hydroxymethylfna'etg' then poured into water, extracted with methylene chloride y Z t ere erelcorrespondmgly o and the organic extract washed with water to neutral, g X' 'g res/tell;- 'i z 'g g dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and evaporated to ff z f i an oxydryness. Crystallization from acetone-hexane gave 2- e yny men-175 formyl-17a-methyl-A -androsten-175-01. Example XI Follewinsthe Same technique, there were treated 3- 2 formyl-A -androsten-17fl-ol-l7-acetate, 2 hydroxyeleethylenedlexymethyl-Alendrqstew17fi-e1-l7-ecetate, methyl-a -androsteud718-01-17-acetate, and 2-ca1 boxy-A cycloethylenedioxymelhyl'17"V1I1Y1'A1'and1'mten'175 01, androsten-i17 8-ol-17-acetate were saponified following the and Y Y Y 'f andfostechnique described in Example V furnishing respectively ten-17,801, thus afiording correspondingly 2-formyl-A -an- 1 1 1 2 hydroxymethyl 1 drosten-17B-ol-17-acetate, 2-formyl-17ot-vinyl-A androsdrostemlzgol, and 2 carbOxy 1 7 1 ten-17B-ol, and 2-formyl-17a-ethynyl-A -androsten-17 8-01. a I

Example XII Example IX 5 g. of 2-methy1-A -androsten-175-01 obtained in ac- A solution of 3 g. of sodium borohydride in 9 cc. of 20 cordance with Example I were oxidized following the pro- Water was added to an ice-cooled solution of 3 g. of 2- cedure delineated in Example VI, thus giving 2-methylformyl-17u-methyl-A -androsten-17,3-01 in 250 cc. of meth- A -andIosten-17-one. anol and the mixture was allowed to stand for 6 hours at Example XIII room temperature. The excess reagent was decomposed The f oi Steroid was treated by h method d by addition of acetic acid, the solution concentrated to scribed in Example VII, aflording 1 1 small volume in vacuo and diluted with water. The prod- 1 uct was extracted w th ethyl acetate, the extract was By the same procedure, but Sustituting h l washed with water, dried and evaporated. The solid resinesium bromide by vinyl magnesium bromide d ethydue w Punfied by crystalhzatlon from acetone'hexane nyl magnesium bromide, there were respectively obtained glve Y y Y y B- Z-methyl-l7a-vinyl-A -androsten l7 3-01, and 2-methyl- Following the same procedure, there were treated 2- 7 1 1 d 1en-1713-01. formyl-N-androsten-17fi-ol-17-acetate, 2 formyl 17oc-Vinyl-A -androsten-17fl-ol, and 2-formyl-17a-ethynyl-A -an- Example XIV drosten-17/3-ol, thus alfording respectively 2-hydroxymiXflll'e 0f gof y y y Y methyl-A -androsten-17/3-ol-l7-acetate, 2-hydroxymethylandresten-flfi-el, 4 0f py and 2 acetic 17a-viny1-A -androsten-175-01, and 2-hydroxymethyl-17ahydride a p a room temperature overnight Then ethyny1-A -androsten-17 13-01. it was poured into water, the formed precipitate filtered oif, washed with water and dried. Crystallization from Example X 40 acetone-hexane gave 2-acetoxymethyl-17u-methyl-A -an- A solution of 1 g. of Z-hydroxymethyl-17a-methyl-A drosten-l7B-ol. androsten-17fi-ol in 10 cc. of acetone was cooled to 0 C. Following the above technique, there were treated the and treated under an atmosphere of nitrogen and with starting compounds listed below with the indicated acylatstirring, With a solution of 8 N chromic acid (prepared by ing agent furnishing the 001T espolldiflg Products hereinmixing 26 g. of chromium trioxide with 23 cc. of concenaf r 12 forth:

Starting compounds Acylating agent Products 2-hydroxymethyl-17a-methy1- propionic anhydride.-. 2-propionoxymethy1-17a- A -androsten-17B-o1. -methyl-A -androsten-l75-01. 2-hydroxymethy1-17a-vinylacetic auyhdride 2-acetoxymethyl-l7a-vinyl- A -androsten-flfi-ol. A androsten-l'ifl-ol.

D0 caproic anhydride.--" 2-caproxymethy147 jny1. A andr0sten-17B-ol. Z-hYdIOXYI IethYl-l'la-ethYIlYlpropionic anhydride-. 2-propionoxymethy1-17a- A -a11drosten-17fl-ol. YIlYl-N-androstemHB-ol.

Do cyclopentyl-propiomc 2cyclopentylpropionoxyanhydride. methyl-17a-ethynyl-A androsten-UB-ol. Do benzoyl chloride 2-benzoxymethyl-17a-ethynyl- A -androsten-lm-ol.

2-hydroxymethyl-A -androstenpropionic anhydridez-propionoxymethyl A andre 176-01. Stem-1750M7-prop1onate.

Do caproic anhydride 2-caproxymethy1-A -androsten- 17&ol-17-caproate. Z-hydrOXymethyI-A andmstencycIopent yl-propionic 2-cyclopentylpropionoxy- 175-01-17-acetate. anhydride. methyl-A androsten-Hflol-l7-acetate. Do benzoyl chloride 2-benzoxymethyl-A -androsten- 17fl-o1-17-acetate. 2-f0rmyl-N-androsten-l7B-ol propionic anhydride--- 2-iormyl-A -androsten-17B-ol- 17-propionate. Do eaproic anhydride--- 2-formy1-A -androsten-175-01- 17-caproate. 2-carboxy-A -androsten-17Belpropionic anhydride. 2-carboxy-N-androstend7B- ol-17-propionate. Do benzoyl chloride 2-carboxy-A -androsten-17fi- 0l-17-benzoate.

trated sulfuric acid and diluting with water to 100 Example XV until the color of the reagent persisted in the mixture for three minutes. It was stirred for 5 minutes further at 0-5" C. and diluted With water. The precipitate Was collected, washed With Water and dried under vacuum, thus A mixture of 1 g. of 2-formyl-17u-methyl-A -androsten- 17 8 01, 1 g. of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate, 50 cc.

of acetic acid and 25 cc. of acetic anhydride was keptfor affording a crude product which upon crystallization from 24 hours at room temperature. It was then poured into 9 is selected from the group consisting of formyl (CHO) and carboxyl (COOH).

8. 2-formy1-A -androsten-175-01. 9. 2-formy1-17u-methy1-A -androsten-17 3-01. 10. 2-formy1-17a-viny1-A -androsten-175-01. 11. 2-formyl-17u-ethyny1-A -androsten-17 5-01. 12. -2-carboxy-A -androsten-1713-01. 13. 2-carboxy-17a-methyl-A -androsten-173-01. 14. Z-carboxy-l7a-viny1-A -androsten-1713-01. 15. 2-carboxy-17a-ethyny1-A -androsten-17,801. 16. A compound of the following formula:

wherein R and R are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a hydrocarbon carboxyl ic acyl group of less than 12 carbon atoms; and R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl, an al kenyl and an alkynyl group each containing less than 8 carbon atoms.

17. Z-hydroxymethyl-A -androsten-175-01.

18. 2-hydroxymethyl-17a-methy1-A -androsten-1718-01.

19. 2-hydroxymethy1-17a-vinyl-A -androsten-1713-01.

20. 2 hydroxymethyl 17oz ethynyl A androsten- 1713-01.

Z1. 2 propionoxymethyl A androsten 17B ol- 17-prcpionate.

No references cited. 

1. A COMPOUND OF THE FOLLOWING FORMULA: 